Nice Dinner Recommendations

parkander · Jul 15, 2018

I'd like to take my kids to a nice dinner. Two celebrating high school graduation and one 8th grade. I don't want to go over the top like California Grill, but a nice place where we can have a nice meal and make and celebrate the special occasion. We are staying at Bay Lake, and we have a rental car, so I'm willing to go off park property if its really worth it! TIA!

OneinThree · Jul 15, 2018

Just came back from a tremendous meal at Sanaa. Not a signature, but every bit as good in terms of food, service, and ambiance. I highly recommend.

DisneyWishes14 · Jul 15, 2018

In the vicinity of BLT, but without going "over the top", I would consider GF Cafe. It's really lovely and has very good food.

There are a ton of good restaurants in DS - we really like the Boathouse.

Over in the EP area, consider Ale and Compass. If you aren't on the DDP, consider Il Mulino or bluezoo.

CynBeth · Jul 15, 2018

Boma at AKL!

Sweettears · Jul 15, 2018

If you want to stay on the monorail loop consider Narcoossees or Citricos

epcotobsessed · Jul 15, 2018

Yachtsman every day and twice on Sundays. It's exceptional in every way. If that's too pricey, Chefs de France or Sanaa - also excellent choices.

verleniahall · Jul 15, 2018

epcotobsessed said:
Yachtsman every day and twice on Sundays. It's exceptional in every.

I agree and was going to suggest this as well

Christine · Jul 15, 2018

Citricos.

SingingMom · Jul 15, 2018

Shula's Steakhouse in the Dolphin is much better than Yachtsman, if you are looking for a steakhouse. Or try bluezoo (Dolphin)or Il Mulino (Swan) - both have a celebratory vibe.
I'm still trying to find an offsite restaurant worth driving to - all we've come across while visiting our CM daughter are restaurant chains. We're really spoiled coming from the NYC area! :earsgirl:

DisneyFansInNYC · Jul 15, 2018

I agree Sanaa or Boma at AKL. Then you can go see the animals. We also love Ohana at the Poly.

OneinThree · Jul 15, 2018

SingingMom said:
Shula's Steakhouse in the Dolphin is much better than Yachtsman,

Indeed it is, but if the OP feels like CG is "over the top", I'm not sure how well it would go over when the server at Shula's delivers that check. :eek:

3 Hobbits 2 Disney · Jul 15, 2018

Artist Point is lovely at The Wilderness Lodge.

epcotobsessed · Jul 15, 2018

Shula's is not better than the Yachtsman.

DaisyDuck001 · Jul 16, 2018

3 Hobbits 2 Disney said:
Artist Point is lovely at The Wilderness Lodge.

Yes, and there is a boat route between the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge.

Are you going this summer? The future of Artist Point is unknown beyond late October.

gharter · Jul 16, 2018

If California Grill is over the top, I would guess the other Signature suggestions Narcoossees, Citricos, Yachtmans, Shulas and Artist Point would also.
I would consider Sanaa really good, Boma really good for a buffet.
Disney Springs may be your best option. Raglan Road is a lot of fun when the band and dancers are there. Lots of options there. You can drive or take the bus there as well.

Arielfan98 · Jul 16, 2018

Turf Club at Saratoga Springs is not too over the top, but a very quaint restaurant with excellent food. You guys can venture to DS afterwards for after-dinner dessert/shopping!

TheRustyScupper · Jul 16, 2018

parkander said:
I'd like to take my kids to a nice dinner . . . we have a rental car, so I'm willing to go off park property if its really worth it!

We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
.
1) We prefer
. . . fine food
. . . excellent, top notch service
. . . innovative dishes with flair and quality
. . . overall great value
. . . relaxed and soothing dining atmosphere
. . . behaved and somewhat quiet patrons
.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs)
. . . Turf Club - Saratoga Springs
. . . Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort
. . . Shula's Steakhouse - Dolphin Resort (no DDP)
. . . Il Mulino - Swan Resort (no DDP)
.
3) Our (nearby) off-site Recommendations:
. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek - Fine Dining (expensive)
. . . Café D'Antonio - Celebration - Casual Italian
. . . Columbia - Celebration - Casual Spanish/Cuban
. . . Fish Bones - Hwy192 - Seafood
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel - Fine Dining (expensive)
. . . The Hotel Tea Room - Davenport, FL - Casual (Friday Steak-Fry, Afternoon Tea)
.
NOTE1: The only time we visit other TS eateries is to renew our ratings for the eatery. And, when we do these, we have "sampler" dishes (whether free or paid) so we can try several appys/entrées without pigging-out or having major weight gains.
.
NOTE2: Now, for a real treat, go to The Hotel Tea Room in Davenport, Florida on a Friday evening. They refuse to charge big bucks! They have a Rib-Eye or New York Strip steak dinner that tops Ruth's Chris' or Shula's. The steak covers the entire plate. These are the only entrées on the menu for Friday nights. They get primal cuts and do their own prepping of the steak. It is an OLD hotel with a small dining room. Has an award winning Pastry Chef from TV and he has Best-In-Show awards for pies, pastries, and cakes !!! Our total bill for the wife and I (salad, 1½"-thick-after-cooking, dessert, and taxes) was only $56.00. You can split the steak and pay less than $35 total for two people (pay for ONE dinner, and add $6.00 for an extra potato and salad.) They have a nice Afternoon Tea. Breakfast is literally all you can eat for $7.00, tax included. Yep, seven bucks . . . NO TYPO! Order your eggs, bacon, pancakes (etc). After you eat, they ask if you want more of anything. NO EXTRA CHARGE. The place is about 40-min from WDW, but really worth the drive. Check them out on Facebook or Internet (http://www.hoteltearoom.com/). Ressies required for Friday night steak fry (863-421-0827) and most Afternoon Teas. They do not serve alcohol, but people can BYOB for wine or spirits without a charge.

Cramden · Jul 16, 2018

Sanaa would be a great choice, never had a bad meal there. What about a Hoop-Dee-Doo? You can take the boat over and it's a hoot.

SingingMom · Jul 17, 2018

TheRustyScupper said:
We only visit five TS eateries at WDW when we go there for an actual meal.
.
1) We prefer
. . . fine food
. . . excellent, top notch service
. . . innovative dishes with flair and quality
. . . overall great value
. . . relaxed and soothing dining atmosphere
. . . behaved and somewhat quiet patrons
.
2) The only sit-down restaurants we routinely visit,
. . . Sanaa - Animal Kingdom Villas Resort (one of my personal favs)
. . . Turf Club - Saratoga Springs
. . . Citricos - Grand Floridian Resort
. . . Shula's Steakhouse - Dolphin Resort (no DDP)
. . . Il Mulino - Swan Resort (no DDP)
.
3) Our (nearby) off-site Recommendations:
. . . Bull & Bear - Waldorf Astoria Bonnet Creek - Fine Dining (expensive)
. . . Café D'Antonio - Celebration - Casual Italian
. . . Columbia - Celebration - Casual Spanish/Cuban
. . . Fish Bones - Hwy192 - Seafood
. . . Venetian Room - Caribe Royale Hotel - Fine Dining (expensive)
. . . The Hotel Tea Room - Davenport, FL - Casual (Friday Steak-Fry, Afternoon Tea)
.
NOTE1: The only time we visit other TS eateries is to renew our ratings for the eatery. And, when we do these, we have "sampler" dishes (whether free or paid) so we can try several appys/entrées without pigging-out or having major weight gains.
.
NOTE2: Now, for a real treat, go to The Hotel Tea Room in Davenport, Florida on a Friday evening. They refuse to charge big bucks! They have a Rib-Eye or New York Strip steak dinner that tops Ruth's Chris' or Shula's. The steak covers the entire plate. These are the only entrées on the menu for Friday nights. They get primal cuts and do their own prepping of the steak. It is an OLD hotel with a small dining room. Has an award winning Pastry Chef from TV and he has Best-In-Show awards for pies, pastries, and cakes !!! Our total bill for the wife and I (salad, 1½"-thick-after-cooking, dessert, and taxes) was only $56.00. You can split the steak and pay less than $35 total for two people (pay for ONE dinner, and add $6.00 for an extra potato and salad.) They have a nice Afternoon Tea. Breakfast is literally all you can eat for $7.00, tax included. Yep, seven bucks . . . NO TYPO! Order your eggs, bacon, pancakes (etc). After you eat, they ask if you want more of anything. NO EXTRA CHARGE. The place is about 40-min from WDW, but really worth the drive. Check them out on Facebook or Internet (http://www.hoteltearoom.com/). Ressies required for Friday night steak fry (863-421-0827) and most Afternoon Teas. They do not serve alcohol, but people can BYOB for wine or spirits without a charge.

Thanks for the off site suggestions!! DD is now in Florida full time and we are from the NYC area - so we have fabulous restaurants at our fingertips and have been disappointed so far in the choices near her. Now we have some new places to try! We LOVE afternoon tea, so that's a must try!

sanapp · Jul 17, 2018

My daughter always asks for Raglan Road. She loves the atmosphere and entertainment.

Nice Dinner Recommendations

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